The present invention is directed to a reinforced building block made of autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) comprising rebars formed essentially from A) at least one fibrous carrier and B) and a hardened composition formed from B1) at least one epoxy compound and B2) at least one diamine and/or polyamine in a stoichiometric ratio of the epoxy compound B1) to the diamine and/or polyamine component B2) of 0.8:1 to 2:1, as matrix material, and C) optionally further auxiliaries and additives and to methods of production thereof.

Roofing granules comprising agglomerated inorganic material, and building materials, such as shingles, that include such roofing granules. By fabricating roofing granules from agglomerating inorganic material it is possible to tailor the particle size distribution so as to provide optimal shingle surface coverage, thus reducing shingle weight and usage of raw materials. Additionally, the use of agglomeration permits the utilization of by-products from conventional granule production processes.

Roofing granules comprising agglomerated inorganic material, and building materials, such as shingles, that include such roofing granules. By fabricating roofing granules from agglomerating inorganic material, in combination with a binder composition having a wetting agent, it is possible to increase the yield of the fabricated roofing granules and tailor the particle size distribution so as to provide optimal shingle surface coverage, thus reducing shingle weight and usage of raw materials. Additionally, the use of agglomeration permits the utilization of by-products from conventional granule production processes.

Solar reflective roofing granules include a binder and inert mineral particles, with solar reflective particles dispersed in the binder. An agglomeration process preferentially disposes the solar reflective particles at a desired depth within or beneath the surface of the granules.

The present invention provides an aqueous polyurethane (PU)-polyacrylate hybrid dispersion obtainable by free radical polymerization of at least one acrylate polymer (A1) in the presence of at least one polyurethane (P1), a process for preparing these aqueous polyurethane-polyacrylate hybrid dispersions, wherein said process comprises a) preparing an aqueous polyurethane dispersion and b) using the polyurethane dispersion thus prepared as raw material for the further synthesis of a polyacrylate dispersion, and the use of the hybrid dispersion thus obtained as binder in filled coating materials, particularly as a binder for flexible roof coatings.

Provided are bitumen nanocomposites. The bitumen nanocomposites have one or more clay, one or more polymer composition, and bitumen. A polymer composition can have one or more polymer and one or more crumb rubber. A polymer may have one or more maleic anhydride group. The bitumen nanocomposites can be used in, for example, road surfacing products and roofing products.

Compositions comprising highly reflective microcrystalline/amorphous materials are provided. In some instances, the highly reflective materials are microcrystalline or amorphous carbonate materials, which may include calcium and/or magnesium carbonate. In some instances, the materials are CO.sub.2 sequestering materials. Also provided are methods of making and using the compositions, e.g., to increase the albedo of a surface, to mitigate urban heat island effects, etc.

A method for making geopolymer cementitious binder compositions for cementitious products such as concrete, precast construction elements and panels, mortar and repair materials, and the like is disclosed. The geopolymer cementitious compositions of some embodiments are made by mixing a synergistic mixture of thermally activated aluminosilicate mineral, calcium aluminate cement, a calcium sulfate and a chemical activator with water

The present specification discloses ceramic matrix compositions, methods of making such ceramic matrix compositions and methods and uses for such ceramic matrix compositions.

Crumb rubber obtained from recycled tires is subjected to an interlinked substitution process. The process utilizes a reactive component that interferes with sulfur bonds. The resulting treated rubber exhibits properties similar to those of the virgin composite rubber structure prior to being granulated, and is suitable for use in fabricating new tires, engineered rubber articles, and asphalt rubber for use in waterproofing and paving applications.